Discovery is reporting that a huge crowdsourcing initiative is looking to utilise EVE Online's massive player-base to overview microscopic pictures of cells and tissue from humans.

Project Discovery as it's known, will essentially act as a mini-game within the matrix of the larger EVE Online game-world as the images in question require a human gaze in order to identify and characterise particular differences within the cells they're scanning. Actual scientists attached to the project then take the "Capsuleers'" findings and add them to the Human Protein Atlas. Players taking part in the mini-game earn EVE's in-game currency ISK, as well as Sisters of EVE loyalty points.

Mapping human proteins is necessary to find novel treatments and understanding diseases such as cancer. By characterizing where the proteins are located and how they are shaped, scientists can better find these treatments by working out what these proteins do. But it is a huge task that would require an army of scientists to work on.

There's more information in the supplied links above, but this is a very cool way to maximise your workload with an engaged audience.